Get Out: June 10, 2010

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Posted Jun. 10, 2010 at 2:00 AM

Posted Jun. 10, 2010 at 2:00 AM

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Soda Mountain Wilderness Council hikes

A series of hikes to explore the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument area. Bring lunch, snacks, water, rain gear, sun protection, sturdy shoes or boots. Most hikes involve at least a little off-trail hiking. All hikes are free and usually involve carpooling. Group sizes vary and are up to each hike leader. Space may be limited. Expect to be gone into the late afternoon or early evening on most hikes that begin in the morning. Ask each hike leader for their best estimate of return time. Participants must sign a liability waiver at trip-start. Dogs by prior permission only at the discretion of each hike leader.

Saturday, June 12: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ornithologist Pepper Trail (541-482-9594; ptrail@ashlandnet.net) leads an easy or moderate (your choice) Pacific Crest Trail (and vicinity) hike east of Pilot Rock from Porcupine Gap to Babbitt Gap, Porcupine Meadow and the spectacular view from Porcupine Mountain. Less than four miles total. Some off-trail hiking. Meet at 8:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 13: Brian Barr, aquatic ecologist for the National Center for Conservation Science and Policy, (541-621-7226; brian@nccsp.org) will lead a short, round-trip hike-and-scramble from the Jenny Creek Canyon rim in Oregon down to Jenny Creek Falls in California. Moderately difficult; three-plus miles with some steep scrambling. Meet at 9 a.m.

Saturday, June 19: Sierra Club hike leader Cathy Edwards (541-210-0204; ziglerugn@aol.com) and National Park Service botanist Sean Smith will explore where Rogue Valley oak savannah meets Cascadian conifer forest in the Greensprings Mountain unit of the South Cascades Wilderness proposal northwest of the Greensprings Summit. Some off-trail hiking. Moderate; about four miles. Meet at 3 p.m. and bring a sack supper.

Saturday, June 26: Southern Oregon University aquatic ecologist Michael Parker (541-552-6796; parker@sou.edu) leads a cross-country ramble through Fredenburg Meadow and down into the forested Jenny Creek Canyon in the northeastern corner of the Cascade-Siskiyou Monument. All off-trail hiking. Moderate; three miles or less. Meet at 9 a.m.

This summer the public will be able to participate in several free natural-history interpretive programs hosted by the Fremont-Winema National Forests. All ages are welcome to attend. Participants should bring sturdy shoes or boots, plenty of water, hat, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, binoculars and lunch. For canoe trips, you must supply your own canoe or kayak. Rentals are available from the Rocky Point Resort; 541-356-2287. Call the Klamath Ranger District at 541-885-3400 to reserve space. Tours are weather dependent, so if the weather is bad, tours will be cancelled.

Saturday, June 19: Guided, 3.5-mile canoe tour, from 9 a.m. to noon, of Harriman Springs and Pelican Cut, a route cut through the Upper Klamath Marsh to move logs from land to water. Paddlers will observe many bird species and experience a bubbling spring. Meet at the Rocky Point Boat Launch at 9 a.m. The boat launch is located 30 minutes west of Klamath Falls off of Highway 140 on the Westside Road. Launch your canoe in the marked paddle craft area. There is no fee required to park at the boat launch.

Saturday, July 3: Easy 2.8-mile hike on Tomahawk Trail from 9 a.m. to noon. This trail offers postcard views of Mount McLoughlin and provides your guide an opportunity to talk about forestry practices, vegetation and geologic history of the area. Meet at the Tomahawk Trailhead at 9 a.m. The trailhead is approximately 30 minutes west of Klamath Falls off Highway 140 on Forest Service Road 190, near the junction of Westside Road and Highway 140. There is no fee required to park at the trailhead.

Saturday, July 17: Moderate, six-mile, round-trip hike that starts at an elevation of 5,600 feet and gradually climbs gentle slopes to the Pacific Crest Trail and Ranger Springs. Your guide will talk about wildflowers, wildlife habitat and wilderness management practices. Meet at the Sevenmile Marsh Trailhead at 9 a.m. The trailhead is approximately 10 miles west of Fort Klamath. From Fort Klamath, travel east on Nicholson Road to Forest Service Road 3334. There is no fee required to park at the trailhead.

Saturday, August 6: Easy, four-mile, round-trip hike along the eastern shore of Fourmile Lake. After climbing a small hill, the trail winds within a forested and meadow area, past Woodpecker and Badger Lakes, where bald eagles are often seen up close. This hike offers great views of Mount McLoughlin and provides an opportunity for your guide to discuss the flora and fauna of the Skylakes Wilderness and wilderness management practices. Meet at the Fourmile Lake campground trailhead, approximately 50 minutes west of Klamath Falls off Highway 140 on Forest Service Road 3661. Drive to Fourmile Lake campground and follow signs to the trailhead. There is no fee required to park at the trailhead.

KS Wild hikes

Saturday, June 19: Join KS Wild board member Joseph Flaherty and longtime supporter Greg Walter for a walk along the eastern edge of the Siskiyou Crest above the Illinois Valley and Oregon Caves to Bigelow Lake and Mount Elijah. “This botanically rich area is freshly free of livestock grazing and the native wildflowers already are bounding back in spectacular profusion,” organizers say. This trail will gain expansive vistas toward the Kalmiopsis Wilderness and pass through stands of nearly pristine native forest. Meet at 9 a.m. at Coffee Heaven in Cave Junction, at the intersection of Highway 199 and the road to the Oregon Caves. Group will hike in light rain, but will cancel for more severe weather. Bring food, water, warm clothes, rain gear if needed and binoculars if you have them. Contact laurel@kswild.org or 541-488-5789 for more info.

Saturday, July 17: This difficult hike to the top of Wagner Butte, the second-highest peak in the Siskiyou Range, offers extraordinary views of Ashland, the Rogue Valley, the Siskiyou Crest and southern Cascades. Group will hike through second- and old-growth forests, meadows, sagebrush, mountain mahogany and pass by a locally rare grove of aspen along the summit. The hike is slightly more than 10 miles, so arrive prepared for a solid day of hiking. Meet at 9 a.m. at Evo's Cafe in Ashland to carpool to the trailhead. Group will hike in light rain, but will cancel for more severe weather. Bring food, water, warm clothes, rain gear if needed and binoculars if you have them. Contact laurel@kswild.org or 541-488-5789 for more info.

Saturday, June 19: Easy, five- to six-mile hike along the Taylor Creek Trail to the Burned Timber Trail Loop and Burned Timber Falls. For information, contact Joel Peterson at 541-226-5249 or joelpeterson@charter.net.

Saturday, July 17: Easy to moderate eight-mile hike on the Briggs Creek Trail. From the Sam Brown Campground, follow the creek past Elkhorn Mine. Group will ford Briggs Creek and continue to its “abandoned cabin” destination to enjoy snacks or lunch. For more information, e-mail Joel Peterson at joelpeterson@charter.net or call 541-226-5249.

Saturday, June 12: This free hike to Babyfoot Lake in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness covers 5.5 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of 500 to 1,000 feet. The hike will be traverse a glacial cirque and drop down to it's geologic product, Babyfoot Lake. Eight years after the 2002 Biscuit fire, this loop trail offers a glimpse into an invaluable laboratory with a turbulent geologic and contemporary history. Leader is Gabe Howe. For details or to sign up, go online to www.oregonwild.org/about/hikes_events.

Lithia Park walks

Through Sept. 29: Free, guided walks in Ashland's Lithia Park, sponsored by the Ashland Parks and Recreation Department. The walks take about 90 minutes. Walks leave at 10 a.m. every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday from the Plaza entrance. Saturday walks are added in July and August.

Saturday, June 26: 5K run and two-mile walk begins at 8 a.m. at Rogue River Middle School's Beck Field. The course is flat and fast. Entry fee by Saturday, June 19 is $8 with no T-shirt, $15 with T-shirt. Race-day fee is $10 with no T-shirt. For information, telephone 541-621-6361 or go to the Southern Oregon Runners club's online race calendar at www.sor.org.

Siskiyou Outback Trail Runs

July 10: The 12th annual trail run includes a 50K and 15K event. The race starts at the Mt. Ashland Lodge and proceeds west on a combination of trail and dirt roads. Registration is limited to 225 runners in each event. Go to www.siskiyououtback.com to register. Proceeds from the race benefit the Pacific Crest Trail Association.

Recurring Road Rides:

Every Saturday: A 20-mile ride begins at 10 a.m. at Cycle Sport in Medford. Ride leader is Alex Hayes: 541-857-0819.

Every Tuesday, women's rides, Grants Pass: From April through October, Bike Kraft hosts a weekly women's mountain bike ride that meets and leaves from its shop at 6 p.m. The rides last about two hours on average and accommodate many skill levels. Bike Kraft is at 785 Rogue River Hwy. Contact Richard Amneus: 541-476-4935 or bikekraft@yahoo.com.

Every Wednesday, Jacksonville: Sponsored by Cycle Analysis, these rides are for all ages and abilities and are group-oriented. They begin at 6:30 p.m. from Cycle Analysis, 535 N. Fifth St., Jacksonville, and include the John's Peak trail system. Every ride ends with free refreshments supplied by Cycle Analysis. Helmets are required. Contact Jana Jenson at 541-899-9190, or e-mail cyclea@internetcds.com.

Every Wednesday, Grants Pass: BikeKraft hosts a weekly ride that meets and leaves at 6 p.m. from its shop, 785 Rogue River Highway. The rides last about two hours and accommodate many skill levels. Contact Richard Amneus at 541-476-4935 or check out www.bikekraft.com.

Every Thursday, Ashland: Ride organized by the crew at Ashland Cycle Sport, 191 Oak St., Ashland. Meet at the plaza in Ashland at 6:30 p.m. Riders of all abilities are welcome, but be able to climb for a few miles to reach the trails. Helmets are required. Contact Thom Kneeland, 541-476-4935, for further information or check out the Web site at www.roguecycle.com.

Every Thursday, Grants Pass: Don's Bike Center has a ride that starts at its shop at 5:30 p.m. Rides last about two hours and are tailored to intermediate to advanced riders. Don's is at 211 SW G St. Contact Don or Shawn at 541-471-3494.

Every Saturday, Grants Pass: The folks from Don's Bike Center meet at the Cathedral Hills trailhead on Espy Road at 7:30 a.m. for two hours of riding. Contact Don or Shawn at 541-471-3494.

Friday-Saturday, June 11-12: Birding By Ear workshop and field trip to Jefferson Nature Center with Klamath Bird Observatory Executive Director John Alexander. Friday evening workshop from 7 to 8:30 p.m. will explore bird songs and calls through recordings, sonograms and other devices. Skills learned Friday will be put to use during the Saturday field trip, from 9 to 11 a.m. To register, call KBO at 541-201-0866.

Wilderness and Remote First Aid

Saturday-Sunday, June 12-13: The two-day class, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., teaches participants how to prevent, assess and treat medical and traumatic emergencies in remote environments or urban disasters where definitive care of a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available. The course follows the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines and offers enhanced content and topics to meet OSHA's Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs. Must be at least 14 years old, and adult CPR/AED certification required. Cost is $130. The class will be held at the Medford American Red Cross office, 60 Hawthorne St. For more information or to register, call 541-779-3773.

Northwest Tandem Rally

Friday through Monday, July 2-5: Medford will host the 25th Northwest Tandem Rally during the July 4th weekend, and registration is open. Fliers and applications are available at local Rogue Valley bike shops and online at http://nwtr.org/2010/. The annual event, held last year in Victoria, British Columbia, attracts 650 to 900 participants from as far away as Hawaii and Florida. Rally bicyclists will tour Rogue Valley scenic byways throughout the weekend, with routes ranging from 25 to 85 miles. Net proceeds will be donated to Kids Unlimited, Bear Creek Greenway, Rogue River Greenway and Siskiyou Velo. Local sponsors include Jacksonville's Cycle Analysis, Medford Cycle Sports and Freewheel Bicycle Solutions of Talent. For more information, contact event director Edgar Hee at 541-734-4872 or ejhee@juno.com.